Will J Sanders be shown the door?

[Triumph]

Patriots Defense: Who Might See the Door (Part 1) - Pats Pulpit

Sanders can cover though. He had 3 INTS in 2010 and IIRC, made the play on Manning to seal the Colts win with a nice INT.

 

[Rob0729]

Can't really take an article that references' Profootball Focus' stats too seriously since it has multiple times been proven that PFF's stats are incorrect in a lot of places, but I will play.

I think Sanders will stay at this point. Whether he sticks around will depend on free agency, Brandon McGowan's health and whether he returns to 100%, whether Ras-I Dowling gets converted to FS (which I am guessing), and whether Jarrad Page is an RFA or an UFA when football starts again. If McGowan either start or be part of a heavy rotation until Dowling is ready to step up (assuming he isn't staying at CB) and Page is here, Sanders might be the odd man out.

 

[Froob]

I doubt it. Not the best tackler but still solid in coverage.

 

[SanAngeloState]

probably. SLow as molasses in wintertime. Time to go!

 

[Oswlek]

No.........

 

[NEGoldenAge]

James Sanders is currently the best facilitator of communication in the Pat's secondary. He's no burner, but he knows the defense, can cover, is not a liability in the run game and has a nose for the ball. He's also a hard worker, good locker room guy and very affordable.

 

[signbabybrady]

James Sanders is currently the best facilitator of communication in the Pat's secondary. He's no burner, but he knows the defense, can cover, is not a liability in the run game and has a nose for the ball. He's also a hard worker, good locker room guy and very affordable.

What he said.

I could envision a scenario where camp unfolds in way that he is expendable but at this point I dont see anyreason not to expect him back. Sure if Dowling is infact going to Safety it crowds the position and Sanders could wind up the odd man out but right now I see him as the 3rd best safety we have behind Chung and Merriweather. Merriweathers off field antics could come to play. I do like Page and McGowan which is why I could see Sanders losing a battle in camp but at this point in time I am not cutting him until I see all the safeties on the field.

 

[Shelterdog]

I do like Page and McGowan which is why I could see Sanders losing a battle in camp but at this point in time I am not cutting him until I see all the safeties on the field.

McGowan is a free agent. I bet Page ends up a free agent-I don't see the NFL forcing veterans who have finished five years to be RFAs next year, there is an incredible amount of legal risk for the NFL on that point.

That leaves you with Chung/BMW/Sanders/Brown as the only players who have played safety for you who are under contract and an off-season that's likely to be pretty short.

I suspect they keep him and hope other players develop well enough to keep him off the field.

 

[jmt57]

Since we're on the subject of Sanders, I thought I'd post this link to a very recent interview here.

James Sanders: The Prototypical Patriot

Could Sanders be cut or traded? Sure, anything is possible - but I seriously doubt it, not this year at least.

 

[Patspsycho]

The other important thing to factor in here is salary. Sanders is a $3 million backup.

As much as some posters hate Merriweather, his salary is very team-friendly.

 

[AzPatsFan]

The year wouldn't be complete without a Sanders controversy...

 

[signbabybrady]

McGowan is a free agent. I bet Page ends up a free agent-I don't see the NFL forcing veterans who have finished five years to be RFAs next year, there is an incredible amount of legal risk for the NFL on that point.

That leaves you with Chung/BMW/Sanders/Brown as the only players who have played safety for you who are under contract and an off-season that's likely to be pretty short.

I suspect they keep him and hope other players develop well enough to keep him off the field.

I think we are little off on our analysis of this player as I dont feel that he has to be kept off the field. I feel he is more than an adequate starter though I am happy we have two guys better in Chung and Merriweather.

Basically what I was saying was that I like the group of Chung/BMW/Sanders/Brown and I dont see the need to shake things up. But I could envision a scenario where if McGowan (who I didnt realize was free) and/or Page return and/or Rasi plays safety then sure things could get tight and Sanders could wind up the odd man out.

 

[patsox23]

No chance he's gone. Meriweather is likely gone, though. Traded for a draft pick, if that.

 

[signbabybrady]

No chance he's gone. Meriweather is likely gone, though. Traded for a draft pick, if that.

How can you say likely? I understand he had the issue earlier this offseason but I think the statement should say if the front office cant come to terms with what happened than he is likely gone. For all we know Meriweather may have fully cleared this up with the team and it could be a non-issue.

 

[Shelterdog]

I think we are little off on our analysis of this player as I dont feel that he has to be kept off the field. I feel he is more than an adequate starter though I am happy we have two guys better in Chung and Merriweather.

Each of the last two years they've sort of played him less early in the season and then as the season progressed (and Chung or BMW or McGowan started making mistakes) they played Sanders more and more.

I think they'd like BMW and Chung to play almost every snap of every game and have Sanders be at best the fifth defensive back but it just never works out that way.

 

[satz]

Why would you cut a player who understands your system best in a year where the offseason and camp are going to shorter?.

 

[Triumph]

Can't really take an article that references' Profootball Focus' stats too seriously since it has multiple times been proven that PFF's stats are incorrect in a lot of places, but I will play.

I think Sanders will stay at this point. Whether he sticks around will depend on free agency, Brandon McGowan's health and whether he returns to 100%, whether Ras-I Dowling gets converted to FS (which I am guessing), and whether Jarrad Page is an RFA or an UFA when football starts again. If McGowan either start or be part of a heavy rotation until Dowling is ready to step up (assuming he isn't staying at CB) and Page is here, Sanders might be the odd man out.

I think Dowling will stay at CB.

I read an opinion that he was drafted to match up with the taller WRs in the league. Makes sense. Regardless, you have Mcourty, Bodden and Arrington as guys that you know can play the starting two CB positions right now. The caveat is that can Bodden return to form after being away from the game for long? Furthermore, out of all the player groupings, the NE defensive backfield always seems to be the hardest hit with injuries.

 

[primetime]

Not a chance. He was the team's best safety last season. Chung is still shaky in coverage and Meriweather is too inconsistent. Sanders is a solid veteran leader in the secondary. I expect the safeties on the roster will not change at all from the end of last season (Chung/Meriweather/Sanders/Brown OR Page).

That page's entire reasoning is based on missed tackles. The idea that Jon Wilhite would make the team over James Sanders based on some ridiculous missed tackles stat is laughable, to say the least.

 

[signbabybrady]

Each of the last two years they've sort of played him less early in the season and then as the season progressed (and Chung or BMW or McGowan started making mistakes) they played Sanders more and more.

I think they'd like BMW and Chung to play almost every snap of every game and have Sanders be at best the fifth defensive back but it just never works out that way.

I dont agree with most of what you are saying it is alot to expect two guys to play %100 of the snaps which is why I think Sanders is important.They like to use Chung a lot at the line of scrimage and as the nickel. I think you are wrong about the PT too I think Sanders has played about a third of the snaps at safety the last 2-3 years.

I would agree they would like Chung and Merriweather to play more but I think that sort of statement goes without being said I think they would be just as happy if Sanders uped his level of play where Chung or Merriweather arent as needed. IMO these 3 are our best safeties and for that reason I dont see Sanders cut. The only way I would think that would happen is as I said if McGowan or Page came back and looked better and/or if Rasi becomes a Safety.

And I am not one to immediately make him a Safety as it seems we are trending to bigger corners see McCourty, Bodden, and Arrington.....Rasi would fit right in with them.

 

[patriotscpfc]

I doubt it. Not the best tackler but still solid in coverage.

If Sanders isn't a decent tackler, I'd like to know what you think of the other 3 Safeties tackling ability